Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Santa Cena



Last Tuesday evening we had the joy of sharing communion with our small group and for some of our friends it was their first time to take communion outside of a catholic church and it had a new meaning because instead of thinking that the bread and the wine were actually Christ's body and blood they understood that it was a symbol we took in remembrance of what Christ did for us. It was a specail time as two people from our group accepted Christ this fall, and taking communion had a new significance for them.

We are excited to see how God is working, and this week we had the chance to talk about the future of our group and what else we want to do doing the week. Next week we will be evaluating the needs in our community to see what we can do to better reach those needs. We've had a longing to work with the poor for a while, but haven't known how to get started. Please be in prayer as we figure out the best way to start something as a group and reach the poor around us.

This past week we were in Saltillo for the annual WGM's pastoral conference. We had the opportunity to listen to a veteran missionary share about how we could have an integral ministry and reach out to our community. We also heard an update on all the WGM churches and works in Mexico. Our 3 days of meetings were long, but good. It was good to see that the field had progressed from where it was last year. Overall we fell more encouraged about the state of the WGM Mexico field.

Please continue to pray for us as we make a decision this month as to how we are going to return to Mexico. We've prayed, fasted, and sought God, but still have not heard a response from him. We need his wisdom to make the best decision as we look toward our future in Church planting here in Leon.

THANKS!

Pictures:
Annette in Casa de Paz handing out clothes for the poor children she works with in Saltillo.

Around the table giving updates on our ministry during one of our meetings.

Friday, January 8, 2010

New Hearts...The Best Christmas Gift



The holidays are now over here in Mexico. Wednesday was the day of the kings and it is a very important day for the children here as they receive gifts. We also said good-bye to Jennifer´s parents and feel sort of sad because we always wish we had more time with them and that we could see our family more than a few weeks a year. However, we are thankful for the holidays because were able to rest some and spent time with family and friends. We are feeling much more rejuvenated as we start this year.

Meet Juan Pablo...Little seven year old Juan Pablo is the son of one of the single mothers who has been attending our small group. His mother comes from a difficult family situation, but his grandmother is a Christian and she watches little Juan Pablo and his brother a lot. We have invested much in this family over the past six months inlcuding teaching Jaun Pablo´s mom some things about discipline and keeping the kids overnight one time. We rejoice that his mom accepted Christ a few weeks before Christmas, and though she has a long way to go, she has begun to make some changes in her life. Sometimes we get discouraged because we don´t see her changing as fast as we would like, but God is doing something. Jaun Pablo´s grandfather and uncle who live with him are alcoholics, and we have been praying for them for a long time. This Christmas his grandfather wanted to go to the Catholic church to give thanks to God and Juan Pablo and his grandmother went with him. The other day with tears in her eyes his grandmother retold us the story. Juan Pablo insisted that he had something he wanted to give God thanks for. He said he had prayed that his mom and grandfather would have new hearts and that now they do. He wanted to thank God for the hearts they had received. His grandfather has been sober for several months now and we can hardly believe it. Who would have thought that little Juan Pablo would have been praying for his family. We know that God heard his prayers and we too thank him for what he has done in this family. Please continue to pray for them as they struggle to make ends meet and live with conflict daily. Pray for Juan Pablo´s mom, that she will fall more in love with Christ and let him transform her life, and pray for her brother who is currenlty walking in the wrong direction and doesn´t want anything to do with God.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!



Happy New Year to you all!

We are very thankful for some days of rest that we have been enjoying. Before Christmas we found ourselves rather stressed out and tired, but we are feeling much better now. We spent Christmas with some close friends and Jennifer's parents arrived on the 30th and will be here a week. We praise God that we haven't been alone for the holidays!

This year we look forward to what is ahead as we make some big decisions about our future and where God is leading us after June. We long to be God's hands and feet to a hurting and dying world and teach people how to be the body of Christ, the church.
Join us in seeking God in your plans for your life this year. Together we can make a difference in this world.

Here is wishing you a great 2010 from Mexico!